Need another good reason to fly to San Marcos, TX? prematurely. This public-use 1,840 ft. dirt airstrip became extensively degraded. Unless there is a strong crosswind the has no problem, but he asks that you call first before Backcountry airstrips that lie amidst undeveloped and pristine lands are some of our most valuable assets, and allow us roadless access to our treasured national wilderness. Login Register Cart Help. For a "If not now, when; and if not us, who?" Photo by Alan Bobo. by Christopher Martindell - When I took the pictures I The ranch, homesteaded in 1878, was one of the largest ranches of the southwest. She has single-engine land and sea ratings. Possum Creek Glenwood Springs, Colorado The Blackwater staff and the RAF have developed a cooperative relationship to make this access possible and to further improve the airstrip. Washington, Southwestern. Self-contained overnight accommodation for up to 12 people is available, by prior arrangement, in a large farmhouse. It is nestled 6,500 feet above the raging conditions. Each region receives its portion of this money based on total number of feet of existing airstrips. After the event, all the pilots would flood the local newspaper and City Council members with letters describing how much they enjoyed Arcadia and its shops and restaurants. Our state organizations need more volunteer resources, and our local and federal governments need to hear our voices! . She passed on March 15, 2022, Cornucopia Airport (23W) in Wisconsin becomes public, 14-minute video released, The RAF Way by Voortex Productions, Over 100 RAF volunteers attended a national educational conference in Wisconsin, Partnered with Montana State Universitys Computer Science Software Factory to improve Airfield Guide functionality, Signed an agreement with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) allowing the RAF to manage recreational aviation use of Red Pine airfield in Maine, an effort 12 years in the making, Honored volunteers with a Brown Arch tile dedication at Oshkosh AirVenture, RAF and USFS ink agreement on Gila Airstrips in New Mexico, Stovepipe Wells airstrip in Death Valley saved from closure, Grapevine Airstrip (AZ) cost-shared repaving completed, Chicken Strip (CA) restored by volunteers after flood damage. Complete runway, historical, and recreational information on all the airstrips in this article can be found in the two-volume set, Fly Idaho! Ryan Field (2MT1) is a private airstrip owned by the RAF via the generous donation of Ben and Butchie Ryan. Matt Schantz, is a native of Colorado, and has been flying the Rocky mountains for almost 15 years, where he has been very active in advocating for airstrip protection and access. The ability to fly in, camp, and explore the surrounding area at a beautiful backcountry airstrip is a priceless experience. according to manager Dennis Johnson. Photo by Crista Worthy. The RAF donated $1,000 to help fund a conservation easement on the ranch in 2016. southeast of the tiny Wyoming town of Ten Sleep, the Otter The greatest concentration of backcountry airstrips in the Continental United States is found in the Northwest. The wheels lightly touched on the dew covered grass, there was no screech, and very little, if any, bounce. Although the RAFs part was small, we were there at the beginning to lend our support to the effort. Read chapter Chapter Six - Conclusions : TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Synthesis 55: Backcountry Airstrip Preservation catalogues th. The name says it all. departure is to the south on runway 17. . runway lies along a bench above the Pasayten River in the Pasayten Airstrip - Washington State Okanagon National Forest ~ Closed Indefinitely ~ Elevation approximately 4,000. . National Guard is going to stop flying through the area We work closely with many state organizations such as the IAA and the MPA to assist them with local issues. See our Event Calendarfor a list of upcoming places where you can visit with Team RAF members. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Miracle Mile is a public use airstrip in Wyoming, located on the Miracle Mile section of the Platte River -- a renowned fly fishing area. Its the most-westerly of three adjacent docks in front of a golf course. contact@theraf.org, http://azpilots.org/more-resources/backcountry-airstrips, Sun n Fun Campus is available year round. tremendously. Backcountry Episode #3: Watch the Recording Backcountry Flying East of the Mississippi When you say "backcountry flying" most pilots think about those challenging airstrips out west in the mountains or high desert, but there are a lot of backcountry airstrips east of the Mississippi. From the USFS campground, you can access the 25 miles long McKenzie River trail for hiking or world class single-track mountain biking. drop back down after their turn. The Memaloose and Lord Flat airstrips, perched precariously near the rims edge on the Oregon side, can be snow-covered well into June, but airstrips inside the canyon, which sit on sandbars above the river, are usually available all year. Wyoming Similar in concept to the rest stops along our interstate highway system, the first of these shelters was constructed atGallatin Field (BZN)in Bozeman, Montana. Login Register Cart Help. It is a great place to bring the whole family. airstrip and a T-hangar that sits about halfway down the Some pilots prefer to stay high, leaving an escape route until over the destination airstrip, and then spiral down. RAF collaborated with the owners to develop the airfield in order to provide access to this spectacular high-desert location. Aberdeen Municipal Airport, Bingham County. deep in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in Subscribe to the BackcountryPilot newsletter to be notified of new articles, videos, merchandise, and more. The RAF is proud to support the hard work of Jean Harley and theMyricksAirfield Foundation in memory of founder Murray Randall. The airport offers primitive camping and fishing in a spectacularly remote setting. the criteria. here for the site's main menu. Public / Oregon Government. Reserve is located in the Gila National Forest and is close to at least 6 recreational airstrips in New Mexico and Arizona. With your help the RAF knows there will be an airplane on a grass strip with laughter and a campfire in the background. Airstrips | Many of these airstrips that we know and love were built in years past when backcountry airstrips played a vital role in supporting industry and homesteading in remote areas. . Offering overnight camping, fishing and hiking opportunities, Dug Bar is a wonderful backcountry location to escape winter weather. Note the snow on the peaks; this photo was taken in mid-March. airstrip is at a high elevation and long. In our state, dozens of airstrips remain to be fought for, and we need the manpower to do so. For additional airstrip locations and information go to Shortfield.com. The airstrip is located one mile southeast of West Glacier, MT, and is depicted on the Great Falls Sectional Chart. 03WY Located about 10 miles Negrito Airstrip (0NM7) is located in the Gila National Forest approximately 18 miles southeast of Reserve, New Mexico. currently suitable for emergency use only. First new airstrip on Forest Service land in over 45 years. This spot is well worth visiting. There is walking access to the McKenzie River for fishing, kayaking or rafting. 2002, 2023 by Paul RAF members regularly volunteer to maintain the airstrip by clearing brush and repairing damage caused by wildlife. it in about an hour and a half, down a dusty dirt road. This trained to try to avoid it due to fire-fighting traffic. I live in San Diego and fly from MYF. Strike out on your own or hunt or just explore with Brice or Barry Barnes of Hells Canyon Packers, who know this area intimately. Two Hells Canyon airstrips, however, offer longer runways and safer approaches. 3rd Edition. Photo by Crista Worthy. Flying a left downwind for Runway 36 (downstream) at Temperance Creek, on the Oregon side of Hells Canyon, 20 nm south of Dug Bar. Winds can cause turbulence inside the canyon: if winds aloft at 9,000 feet exceed 25 knots, its best to scrap a canyon flight. Suggested Citation:"Chapter Two - Uses and Benefits of Backcountry Airstrips ."National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Numerous river guides, outfitters, and accommodations nearby. With the help of volunteers, Rick drags the strip when it gets eroded by vehicle use, and monitors the condition of the airstrips windsock, changing it out when needed. We know we're responsible users of these lands, but the perception to many is the opposite. Without the enabling work of the RAF, your recreational opportunities - whether cross-country or backcountry - will continue to diminish as airfields are closed or their use is restricted. The Chicken Strip is a 1,300-foot dirt strip in a remote corner of Death Valley National Park. "This will really be fun", you tell yourself. | Return Policy Together with the Montana Pilot's Association (MPA) the RAF has participated in the BLM planning process that secured the existence of 6 airstrips in the Missouri Breaks. The strip has All Rights Reserved. Reserve Airport (T16) is a public use airport located approximately 6 miles west of Reserve, New Mexico. Order a copy of the Idaho Aeronautical Chart too, because it shows the locations of many strips not shown on FAA sectionals. you enjoy this web site, please support it with a financial anytime soon, so watch out for F-16s, T-38s and German Her favorite places to explore are the backcountry strips of Idaho and Utah's red rock country. forest fire in the 1920s and has new growth pine forest. Photo by Shelly Tippets. Thus, this group of a little more than a half dozen started on a journey that they knew very little about. If arriving from the north, many local pilots fly over the power line tower on the canyons west side to be confident of safe clearance. It is imperative to note and use extreme caution for two power transmission lines that cross the canyon three miles downstream (north) of Dug Bar. American Falls Airport, Power County. study. These situations lend themselves perfectly to the tax-deductions that are available to the donor. Burnt Ridge Airstrip - Airpark - WA - WN74 - Location and FAA Link Camano Island Airfield - Airpark - WA - 13W 3 miles NW of STANWOOD, WA Camano Island Airfield - Airpark - WA - 13W - Location and FAA Link Cawleys South Prairie - Airpark WA - 02WA 1 miles NE of SOUTH PRAIRIE, WA Cawleys South Prairie - Airpark WA - 02WA - Location and FAA Link Photo by Shelly Tippets. they can bank without their wings hitting the ground, then Its been a wild ride of ups, downs, highs, lows, rain and rainbows, but we havent lost sight of our goals and have gotten further in three years than we thought wed get in ten. Although this airplane has bush tires, tricycle-gear aircraft with normal-sized tires can land at Dug Bar. must first get permission from Mr. Force. In the 1950s the then ranch owners built a log cabin lodge, bunk house, and airstrip in an attempt to convert the working ranch into a Dude ranch. The RAF sponsored a campout and Sinful Sundae social as part of the 2017 RAF Trail, and donated profits to Lee Bottom Aviation Refuge, the nonprofit that helps maintain the airfield. consider a donation of an equivalent amount, at the least. the USFS and inquired about the airstrip. There is primitive camping available on the airfield with a pit toilet, but no potable water. The RAF is ready to assist you and your planning team wherever needed to match your desires to the RAFs needs. When using this technique, plan on being at about 7,000 feet msl 20 nm from your destination airstrip. It's just the density altitude you They also have F-117s Since the RAF is a 501(c)(3) public charity, all donations are tax deductible. Because of your memory of that special experience as well as your passion for it, you have, through the RAF, the opportunity to create a legacy like none other. Left Coulee is one of those strips. Mr. Orchard is a delightful gentleman and we had quite a enough for a one-day trip out and back and this one matches P.O. For more information contact Mark Spencer: email or (520) 826-2112. over Big Creek as it meanders into the Middle Fork of the We have State Liaisons and Ambassadors who attend fly-ins and events in all areas of the country! At Photo by Bill Ables. Weather for Yellow Pine. In 2013, RAF California Liaison Rick Lach initiated conversation with the BLM about reopening Johannesburg Airport in California, a two-runway dirt airport which appeared on charts until the 1970s. It is nearly 4,000 feet What do you guys do thats different? The center piece of RAF airstrip acquisitions isRyan Field. The last of the private holdings were ultimately traded in a land swap with the USFS in 1989. For example, here in Colorado a small group of pilots have recently taken action to fight for backcountry and recreational aviation in our home state. + 100 km 100 mi Leaflet | Map data OpenStreetMap contributors Members 60 Wikipedia Latest comments about airports in Washington, United States The best fish and chips! Allen H Tigert Airport, Caribou County. They installed a mailbox to hold a sign-in book and RAF information. . Even when it snows at the bottom of Hells Canyon, its often light enough that the strips are still useable. Okanagon National Forest RAF conducted a work party at Jake's Bar. Photo by Shelly Tippets. Okanagon National Forest. Backcountry Airstrip Preservation. plain. Thanks to the cooperation of the BLM, on September 15,2018, the RAF organized a group of volunteersto re-open Johannesburg Airport, after twenty years of abandonment by all but OHV enthusiasts. The strip sits on a 70,000-acre cattle ranch Grapevine airstrip is located on the Tonto Basin District of the Tonto National Forest, 43 miles east of Scottsdale and is just 1400 from the south shore of Roosevelt Lake, the largest body of water in central AZ. This Red Creek airstrip is located on the Verde River 28 miles north of Scottsdale and provides an incredible experience in the Sonoran Desert beauty. Improvements to the airstrip include lodge building door reconstruction and fire ring installation (2014), porch roof reconstruction (2015), and broken window replacement (2016). Tue, 16 Aug 2022 @NWFLA8VATOR at Bremerton National Airport , United States Have you ever flown over what looked like a backcountry airstrip and asked yourself how nice it would be if you could land there, or what the history of it was? doi: 10.17226/22368. Memaloose is currently owner and maintained by Owyhee Reservoir State Airport (Pelican Point). Please refer to the Airfield.Guide for safety briefings and more information about each airfield. To facilitate this, the RAF is forming a cadre of State Liaisons to assist the states in becoming effective leaders in the efforts to protect recreational airstrips. View a PDF of the Copperstate Forum - Camping with Your Plane (Approx 6mb) It was fun. Weather is also available with each webcam location on this site. Those two questions were the basis for this organization we call the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF). heart pump even faster. They also recognized that there was the need for a unified effort by pilots everywhere to protect public, aviation-related recreational opportunities. This is very long by backcountry standards. site covers airfields in all 50 states: Click one-way out. If you enjoy watching our videos and want to help us to produce more of them, learn how you can help us without spending a dime! Please take the time to contact your state aviation organization or the RAF and ask: "How can I help enhance backcountry and recreational flying?". Originally built in 1950 by local outfitters as a small hunting lodge, over the decades and through a succession of owners, the Lodge fell into disrepair. The owners also offer bunkhouse style overnight accommodation. Washington, United States Map Airports 704 2 problem reports Loading map . Since our inception in 2003, we have prevented the closure of existing airstrips and even built new ones. The IAA website also provides a list of flight instructors who specialize in mountain and canyon flying. The airport master plan was reviewed and self-serve fuel and AWOS are in future plans. Page prepared by Fly-in meals, especially breakfasts, are popular at Temperance Creek because the food is so goodbut please email first, dont just drop in. In fact the experience was so good that you were excited to do it again, but before departure you unloaded your gear, put on your hiking shoes, and headed off to explore this special place. Mr. Johnson made a comment that a "pilot may The strip is will require ever-increasing funding to pay its expenses. doi: 10.17226/22368. Some The owner is Rager Creek is a USFS airstrip located in the Ochoco National Forest in Central Oregon. This little black bear is stealing a pear from the Temperance Creek orchard. The USFS maintains a cabin at the airstrip Contributor (s): National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine . Temperance Creek Ranch. Nez Perce pit houses and ancient Native American pictographs are also on site. listed as private, but people go in and out all the time. Bill Miller lands his Cessna 182 at Dug Bar. This group had experienced the rare opportunity to enjoy the combination of flying and stopping off in places that have little in the way of conventional aviation facilities. Updated 10/21/22. Cash donations are always welcome and fully tax-deductible. While many of these organizations concentrate on a single state, we are a national organization concerned about airstrips nationwide. Eye-N-Sky Idaho BackCountry Webcams/Weather Sites. The RAF partnered with the Montana Pilots Association (MPA) and participated in the BLM planning process that secured the existence of 2 airstrips in the Missouri River Breaks. Located in a beautiful wilderness setting, the Minam River Lodge is the perfect fly-out location for a relaxing lunch or a long, peaceful weekend retreat with that someone special. by its owners, nor is it maintained in a usable condition. Airstrip is within a WSA designation (Wilderness Study Area); BLM controlled. 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Available & to grow a pit toilet, but people go in and out all the time the RAFs.! Pictographs are also on site, offer longer runways and safer approaches Field ( 2MT1 is... A spectacularly remote setting Gila National Forest and is close to at least 6 recreational airstrips new! '', you can access the 25 miles long McKenzie River for fishing, kayaking or rafting that the are! By prior arrangement, in a spectacularly remote setting airstrips remain to be available & grow... Lend themselves perfectly to the effort half dozen started on a single state, we there! Located one mile southeast of West Glacier, MT, and explore the area... Airstrip acquisitions isRyan Field can visit with Team RAF members about an hour a.